The Felix Scholarship: A Complete Guide for Indian Applicants

Is the Felix Scholarship Open to UAE-Based Applicants?

No, not under the standard route. The Felix Scholarship is specifically for Indian nationals currently residing in India. There is one narrow exception at Oxford specifically: a single additional award each year for a non-Indian student ordinarily resident in a low-income country outside India, though the UAE's high-income classification would place it outside this exception's scope as well. If you're a UAE national, this scholarship isn't a realistic option for you under any of its current pathways.

Who Is Eligible for the Felix Scholarship?

According to the Felix Scholarship Trust and its three partner universities:

• Indian nationality, currently residing in India
• A first-class Bachelor's degree from a recognised Indian university. Candidates with an upper second-class (2:1) degree may still be considered if they also hold a first-class Master's degree
• Not having studied outside India for one year or more prior to application
• Demonstrated financial need. This is a hard eligibility factor, not a soft preference, applicants need to provide documentation showing they genuinely couldn't afford UK study without this support
• A new, full-time Master's or PhD programme at one of the three partner universities. Part-time programmes and pre-sessional (English preparation) courses are explicitly not covered
• A firm, unconditional offer of admission by the time the relevant scholarship panel meets, particularly emphasised for SOAS applicants

What Does the Felix Scholarship Cover?

• 100% of tuition fees at the international student rate
• A living costs grant, varying by university: Oxford's is around £19,000 a year, Reading's maintenance stipend is around £17,894 a year, SOAS doesn't publish a fixed public figure, the exact amount is confirmed upon award
• One return flight between India and the UK

Funding runs for the full duration of your fee liability for the agreed course, up to three years for PhD students. Note that none of the three universities' grants cover a spouse's living costs, if you're married and bringing a partner, they'll need to fund themselves independently, and finding local employment quickly in the UK often takes longer than expected.

How Do I Apply for the Felix Scholarship?

The process differs meaningfully depending on which of the three universities you're applying to:

At Oxford:

1. Apply for your graduate course through the standard Oxford application system

2. Indicate your interest in Felix funding in the scholarships/funding section of that same application

3. No separate Felix form is required, you're automatically considered alongside your course application, by the standard December or January course deadline At Reading:

4. Apply for admission to your chosen full-time postgraduate programme first

5. Once you receive a confirmed offer, complete a separate Felix Scholarship form through the university's applicant portal

6. Note that deferral isn't permitted at Reading, if you can't start in the session you're offered, you lose the scholarship entirely At SOAS:

7. Submit a complete online application for your chosen programme

8. Separately, submit an electronic Felix Scholarship application by the stated deadline (typically early March for the following academic year's entry)

9. You'll need a firm, unconditional offer by the time the Scholarship Panel meets, if your offer is still conditional on an English test, arrange and complete that test as soon as possible

10. Shortlisted candidates are interviewed by the Felix Trust, generally in India, either in person or via video call, between April and May

Do I Need to Provide Proof of Financial Need?

Yes, at all three universities. Unlike scholarships based purely on academic merit, Felix explicitly weighs financial need as a core selection criterion alongside academic performance, and applicants are expected to submit documentation supporting their claim, not simply state it.

FAQs About the Felix Scholarship

Can UAE nationals apply for the Felix Scholarship?

No, not under the standard India-focused route. Oxford does offer one separate annual award for a non-Indian student from a low-income country, but the UAE's high-income classification would place it outside that exception's likely scope too.

Do I apply the same way at all three universities?

No. Oxford requires no separate Felix application, it's automatic through your standard graduate application. Reading and SOAS both require a distinct, separate Felix Scholarship form submitted after or alongside your admissions application.

Can I defer my Felix Scholarship to a later intake?

Not at Reading, deferral isn't permitted there, and failing to start in your offered session means losing the scholarship. Check the specific policy at Oxford or SOAS if this situation applies to you.

Does the Felix Scholarship cover a spouse's living costs?

No. None of the three universities' living grants extend to a partner or dependant. Spouses need to be self-funded.

How many Felix Scholarships are awarded each year?

Around 20 in total, across all three partner universities combined.

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Sources: Official Felix Scholarship Trust website (felixscholarship.org), and university-specific Felix Scholarship pages from the University of Oxford, SOAS University of London, and the University of Reading.